Power-Actuated Deploying Platform for a Small Marine Vessel

ABSTRACT

A power-actuated platform affixed to the frame of the marine vessel that rides on wheels that follow tracks to form a moving carriage. The relative angle of the platform in relation to the deck or water surface changes as the platform travels from a stowed position to a deployed position. The device is uses a powered actuator attached to a fixed substrate of the device at one end and the carriage on the other. The actuator can be controlled remotely by the vessel operator using a directional power controller affixed to the helm, by radio signal from a handheld unit that can be a cellular telephone, or by means of a plug-in the lanyard multidirectional controller. On a pontoon boat or catamaran, the platform of the present invention can be attached to the forward deck area for convenience. When deployed, the platform provides easy ingress and egress to the vessel.

This application is related to, and claims priority from, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/241,887 filed Oct. 15, 2015.Application 62/241,887 is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to small marine vessels such aspontoon boats, catamarans and the like, and more particularly to apower-actuated platform that attaches to such boats.

Description of the Problem

A pontoon boat or catamaran is typically powered by internal combustionengine, or in some cases a battery driven motor. Such boats have a helmstation and sponsons or pontoons which position a deck area at a fixeddistance from the surface of the water. This distance from the deck areato the water is typically too great for a person to gain unencumberedegress and ingress to the boat main deck area from the water or from alanding area. A pontoon boat or catamaran vessel may be equipped with aladder or apparatus such as a platform that can he physically positionedby hand into place to facilitate egress and ingress; however, uponcompletion of use, the ladder or platform apparatus must be removed ordisassembled and stowed by hand so not to impede safe operation vessel.While ladders or removable platforms work, they are very inconvenient.It would be advantageous to have a power-actuated platform affixed tothe frame of the vessel on a moving carriage that would deploy almost tothe water level, so that it becomes a convenient way to ingress andegress or to load and unload cargo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a power-actuated platform that isaffixed to the frame of a small vessel that rides on wheels that followtracks to form a moving carriage. The relative angle of the platformitself in relation to the deck or water surface changes as the platformtravels from a stowed position to a deployed position. The device canuse a powered actuator attached to a fixed substrate of the device atone end and to the carriage on the other. The actuator can be controlledremotely by a vessel operator using a directional power controlleraffixed to the helm, by radio signal from a handheld unit that can be acellular telephone, or by means of a plug in a lanyard multidirectionalcontroller. On a pontoon boat or catamaran, the platform of the presentinvention can be attached to the forward deck area, or elsewhere, forconvenience.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pontoon boat orcatamaran boat platform and carriage or frame assembly affixed to theboat and moveable forward and backward and subsequently up and down dueto its geometry by means of a powered electrical or hydraulic actuation,

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a poweredpontoon boat or catamaran platform and carriage assembly design withwheels intended to travel along a track pathway, that during fulldeployment, positions the platform at a convenient distance between 1″(inch) and 36″ (inches') in height parallel to a body of water or landmass.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a poweredpontoon boat or catamaran boat platform and carriage assembly designwith wheels intended to travel along a track pathway that allowsunimpeded boat maneuverability in a stowed configuration by placing theplatform at a compact and convenient position, and in a deployedconfiguration, places the platform at a convenient position tofacilitate egress or ingress of persons and cargo on and about thevessel.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a poweredpontoon boat or catamaran boat platform assembly affixed to a boat withpivoting arms affixed to rails with a swinging geometry to facilitateand position the platform at a compact and convenient position to allowunimpeded boat maneuverability when stowed, and when deployed, is at aconvenient position to facilitate egress or ingress of persons on andabout the vessel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Attention is now directed to several drawings the illustrate features ofthe present invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the front end of a pontoon boat showingan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the frame geometry in both stowed anddeployed positions of the platform.

FIG. 4 is a view of a typical pontoon boat showing locations of theplatform of the present invention and location of the power controls.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of typical power controls used for deployingand stowing the platform.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is another view of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 in a folded position.

Several figures and illustrations have been provided to aid inunderstanding the present invention. The scope of the present inventionis not limited to what is shown in the figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a power-actuated platform that isaffixed to a vessel that rides on wheels that follow tracks to form amoving carriage that allows easy ingress and egress to the boat.

Turning to FIGS. 1-3, views of the platform of the present invention ina fully deployed and stowed configurations can be seen. A preferredembodiment of the present invention includes the platform 15 which isaffixed to a frame 14 and 16 which is in turn affixed to axles 25, 36,37 and 38. The axles have four wheels 39 which together make up a movingcarriage. When stowed, the wheels 39 of the moving carriage are at restin positions 54 and 55 (FIG. 3). When deployed, the wheels 39 are atrest in positions 52 and 53. Because the angle 58 on the frame 14 and 16is fixed, the relative angular position of the platform 15 in relationto the boat/vessel deck or the body of water or land mass 59 changes asthe platform 15 travels by means of actuator 40 from stowed position 51to deployed position 50. The carriage assembly part of the poweredplatform apparatus is confined to travel in tracks machined intosubstrates 30 and 31 located on the left and right, including substrates33 and 34 that together, make up the primary frame assembly of theplatform apparatus which is affixed to the underside of the pontoon boator vessel deck.

The actuator 40 is attached to the substrate 33 at one end, and to thecarriage frame 16 at the other end. This is typically powered actuator.Due this mounting arrangement, when directionally controlled power isintroduced to the actuator 40, the carriage is forced to move within theconfines and direction of tracks in frame components 30 and 31 eitherforward and simultaneously downward toward the water or land mass 59, orupward and inward toward the underside of the boat or vessel deck area20 (FIG. 4).

Simply, the apparatus includes a rigid frame configured to be attachedto a boat deck or other part of a boat. Embodiments of the rigid framehave a track for wheels with a level portion and a downward slantingportion. The downward slant is a predetermined angle that can be changedfor different boats. The preferred range of angles is between 15 and 45degrees. A pair of separated axles with wheels on their ends terminatein slots in the parallel sides of the rigid frame. The upper slot issubstantially level, while the lower slot slants at the predeterminedangle. The actuator pushes the axles up and down the track. The axlesare tied to a platform portion using one or more bars or other members.The linear extending actuator, or other actuator, causes the platform todeploy downward and outward away from the boat to a level position nearthe water, and in the reverse mode, causes the platform to retractupward and inward toward the boat to a stowed position out of the way ofnormal boat operation. This is possible because the two axles arerigidly held a fixed distance apart and rigidly attached to theplatform. The actuator thus only has to push or pull on one of axles oranywhere on the carriage to move the device.

Turning to FIGS. 4-5, it can be seen that the controls for the platformcan be easily accessed by the vessel operator by means of a directionalpower controller 23 affixed to the helm 17 or other convenient location,by a radio signal from a hand-held directional controller 22 (which canbe cellular telephone with an application (Ap) running that isconfigured and written to control the platform), or by a plug 21 on alanyard multidirectional controller 24 conveniently positioned close tothe forward deck area of the vessel. Remote operation of the platform isdesirable since a person standing forward where he or she can see theplatform as it deploys can operate it; however, operation from the helmalso works quite well. An Ap running on a cellular telephone is storedin memory and executes a set of stored instructions on a processor.

Operation

The present invention provides a powered platform accessory for apontoon beat, catamaran boat or other small marine vessel, that includesan electrically powered, or hydraulically powered, actuator attached toa platform and also attached to the underside of the boat forward deckarea or elsewhere on a boat. The position of the platform allows anoperator or passenger to deploy or store the platform safely withminimum effort to provide easy egress and ingress to the boat mainforward deck area to or from a body of water or a landing area Thepresent invention pushes or pulls a carriage assembly with wheels thatroll on a frame assembly with arms that pivot and swing. Thisarrangement allows the platform to have forward and reverse travel, anddue to the geometry, upward and downward travel simultaneously. Theapparatus is also permanently affixed to the boat via the frame orrails. The platform has two primary positions: the first is the stowedconfiguration, when the actuator is drawn back which allows normal boatoperation. The second is the deployed configuration where the actuatoris pushed forward projecting and lowering the platform, which allows foregress and ingress to and from the boat main deck to a body of water orto a landing area.

FIGS. 6-8 show an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Thisembodiment uses an alternative apparatus and method for deploying andstoring the platform 15 by means of swinging the apparatus as shown inFIG. 6. utilizing swinging arms 60 attached via pivot points 61 to aleft and right rail component 62 affixed permanently to the underside ofthe vessel 19, and the swinging arms 60 affixed via pivot points 61 andto the platform 15. The actuator 40 is affixed to a mounting plate 63 tofacilitate attachment to the underside of the vessel deck area 20.

The powered pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform of the presentinvention may be produced from any non-corroding or corrosion resistantcomposite material including: fiberglass composite, polyethylenecomposite, nitrile butadiene rubber compound, polyvinyl chloridecompound, aluminum alloys, stainless steel or wood. Any strong, lightrigid material may be used.

In summary, the present invention includes the following features:

1. A pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform and carriage or frameassembly affixed to the boat able to move able forwards and backwardsand subsequently up and down due to geometry by means of a poweredelectrical or hydraulic actuation,

2. A powered pontoon beat or catamaran boat platform and carriageassembly design with wheels intended to travel along a track pathwaythat during full deployment, positions the platform at a convenientdistance between 1″ (inch) and 36″ (inches') in height distance parallelto a body of water or land mass.

3. A powered pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform and carriageassembly design with wheels intended to travel along a track pathwaythat allows unimpeded boat maneuverability in a stowage configuration byplacing the platform at a compact and convenient position, and in adeployed configuration, places the platform at a convenient position tofacilitate egress or ingress of persons on and about the vessel.

4. A powered pontoon boat or catamaran boat platform assembly affixed toa boat with pivoting arms affixed to rails with a swinging geometry tofacilitate and position the platform at a compact and convenientposition to allow unimpeded boat maneuverability when stowed, and whendeployed, is at a convenient position to facilitate egress or ingress ofpersons on and about the vessel.

LIST OF COMPONENT NUMERALS

-   11—Sponsons or Pontoons-   13—Sponsons or pontoons-   14—Frame-   15—Platform-   16—Frame-   17—Helm-   18—Engine-   19—Pontoon boat or Catamaran vessel-   20—Boat/vessel deck-   21—Plug in lanyard-   22—Radio signal communication hand held directional controller-   23—Directional power controller-   24—Lanyard multi directional controller-   25—Axle-   36—Axle-   37—Axle-   38—Axle-   39—Wheels-   54—At rest positions-   55—At rest positions-   58—Angle-   40—Power actuator-   59—Water or land mass-   30—Tracks machined into substrates-   31—Tracks machined into substrates-   33—Tracks machined into substrates-   34—Tracks machined into substrates-   60—Swinging arms-   61—Pivot points-   63—Actuator mounting plate-   62—Left or right rail component

Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented to aid inunderstanding the present invention. One with skill in the art willrealize that numerous changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Each of these changes andvariations is within the scope of the present invention.

I claim:
 1. A powered apparatus for ingress and egress from a smallmarine vessel comprising: a platform rigidly attached to separated firstand second parallel horizontal axles with one or more elongated members,the first axle being vertically higher than the second axle; the firstand second axles having wheels on each end with projecting end members;the projecting end members being inserted into first and second slotpairs in a parallel rigid frame, the first axle end members beinginserted into the first slot pair, and the second axle end members beinginserted into the second slot pair, the rigid frame constructed to beaffixed to a front or rear deck of a pontoon boat or catamaran vessel;the first slot pair including first slots on each side of the parallelframe, the first slots running fore and aft and slanting upward at apredetermined angle; the second slot pair including second slots on eachside of the parallel frame, the second slots running fore and aft andbeing level; each of the wheels riding on a track running fore and aft,the wheels on the first axle riding on a track slanting upward at thepredetermined angle; the wheels on the second axle riding on a leveltrack; a powered actuator extendable fore and aft attached to the firstor second axle, the actuator constructed to pull or push the axles andwheels along the first and second tracks; wherein, the actuator can pullaxles and platform upward toward the boat into a stowed configuration,and the actuator can push axles and platform downward away from the boatinto a deployed configuration.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theactuator is controlled by a directional control from a location at thehelm of the boat.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator canbe wirelessly controlled from a handheld device.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein the handheld device is a cellular telephone.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the actuator can be controlled from a plugon a lanyard controller.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theelongated members holding the platform to the first and second axle arebars or elongated plates.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein there aretwo bars and one elongated plate.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe predetermined angle is between 15 and 45 degrees.
 9. A poweredretractable boat ingress and egress platform comprising: a rigid frameportion constructed to be affixed to a boat, the rigid frame portionhaving a set of tracks; a movable carriage portion having wheels rollingon said tracks, the tracks extending along the frame portion outward anddownward so that the carriage portion can be moved toward the boat oraway from the boat along the tracks; a platform portion rigidly attachedto the movable carriage portion; a powered actuator attached to themovable carriage portion at a first end and to the rigid frame portionat the second end, or configured to be attached to a boat at the secondend; wherein, the powered actuator can move the carriage portion and theplatform from a stowed position to a deployed position.
 10. Theretractable platform of claim 9 wherein the actuator is controlled by adirectional control from a location at the helm of the boat.
 11. Theretractable platform of claim 9 wherein the actuator can be wirelesslycontrolled from a handheld device.
 12. The retractable platform of claim11 wherein the handheld device is a cellular telephone.
 13. Theretractable platform of claim 9 wherein the actuator can be controlledfrom a plug on a lanyard controller.
 14. The retractable platform ofclaim 9 wherein the movable platform has four wheels on two axles. 15.The retractable platform of claim 14 wherein the platform portion isrigidly attached to the two axles.
 16. The retractable platform of claim14 wherein each of the two axles has a protruding end member, theprotruding end members inserting into slots in the rigid frame portion.17. A method of providing a powered retractable boat ingress and egressplatform comprising: providing a rigid frame portion constructed to beaffixed to a boat, the rigid frame portion having a set of tracks;providing a movable carriage portion having wheels rolling on saidtracks, the tracks extending along the frame portion outward anddownward so that the carriage portion can be moved toward the boat oraway from the boat along the tracks; providing a platform portionrigidly attached to the movable carriage portion; providing a poweredactuator attached to the movable carriage portion at a first end and tothe rigid frame portion at the second end, or configured to be attachedto a boat at the second end; wherein, the powered actuator can move thecarriage portion and the platform from a stowed position to a deployedposition.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the actuator is controlledby a directional control from a location at the helm of the boat. 19.The method of claim 17 wherein the actuator can be wirelessly controlledfrom a handheld device.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the handhelddevice is a cellular telephone.